Well fluid controlling device



June 10, 1941. J. D. NIXON 2,245,004 WELL FLUID CONTROLLING DEVICE FiledMarch 4, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l June 10, 1941. J, NIXON WELL FLUIDCONTROLLING DEVICE iled March 4, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 2 June 10, 1941.

J. D. NIXON 2,245,004

WELL FLUID CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed March 4. 1940 a I 1% l 5Sheets-Sheet 3 June l0; 1941.

I I I 29 I 1 as I I I 30 w I WELL FLUID CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed March4, 1940 J. D. NIXON 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 10, 1941. J. D. NIXON2,245,004 v I WELL FLUID CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed March 4. 1940 5Sheets-Sheet s i 46 M8 9 A :0 @g 5 70 g #7 i 44 M7 44 V I/ /2a 46 /a/ /d4 5o ,6 1 s so 9/ r I82 I I82 90 /e/ 4 f4 5/ 3L L 5 I? Q 36" 3mm 52Jeo'oyD. Nixon Patented June 10, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT'OFFICE2,245,004 wan. FLUID CONTROLLING DEVIC J eddy D. Nixon,

a corporation of Texas Ap lication March 4, 1940, Serial No. 322,065

21 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in well fluidcontrolling devices.

This application involves certain improvements upon the apparatus setforth in my co-pending application, Serial No. 304,684, flied November16, 1939, and is filed as a continuation in part of my co-pendingapplication, Serial No. 317,073, filed February 2, 1940.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved well flowingdevice including a spring impelled valve operating member arranged to beheld out of valve operating position by a weight bar, whereby saidmember is released when the bar is lifted and automatically actuates thevalve to admit lifting fluid.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means forcontrolling the admission of a lifting fluid under pressure lift thewell fluid therein; whether the source of lifting fluid is from the wellproper or from a supply outside of the well.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved wellflowing device having a lifting fluid inlet and closure means therefor,together with means for normally holding the closure means open andoperable from the surface of the well to release said closure means,whereby the lifting fluid will actuate said closure means and shut offthe admission of lifting fluid.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved fluidflow control means suitable for low fluid type of wells which isoperated from the well surface and so constructed that the well fluidmay be produced from any point at at the bottom of the well which isnecessary to lift said well fluid in accordance with its flow into saidwell, whereby a low fluid type of well may be readily and economicallyproduced.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means forreleasing trapped lifting fluid when the operating member is depressedto permit the inlet valve to close; said means being arranged to closewhen the inlet valve is opened.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for shieldingthe weight bar, whereby it cannot be unintentionally displaced byupwardly flowing fluids in the well.

An important object of the invention is to provide a pressure fluidinlet valve and actuating means therefor together with a pressure fluidconductor surrounded by a well fluid conductor and coupled to a pressurefluid conducting tubing having therein a well fluid elevating pipeconnected with the well fluid conductor, whereby to a well pipe to themiddle portion of a well, structed in accordance with Houston, Tex,assignor of onehalf to Wilson Supply Company,

Houston, Tex.,

pressure fluid may be discharged on top of the column of well fluidstanding in the conducting tubing for displacing and elevating said wellfluid in said pipe and discharging into said well fluid conductor belowsaid valve for elevation through said valve to the tubing; the advantageof such an arrangement being that substantially all of the well fluidbelow'said valve in said conducting tubing and said elevating pipe islifted and expelled therefrom, whereby a greater and more efllcientrecovery is had.

The contacting of the upwardly flowing column of well and pressure fluidon an actuating member for the fluid flow control means would beobjectionable because, due to the skin friction of the moving column offluid on the actuating member, there would be a tendency for said memberto be lifted out of its operating position, which would tend to giveabouncing action to said member and a moderately rapid opening andclosing of said control means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide improved means uponsaid fluid flow control means for housing the actuating member to keepthe operating pressure fluid from beneath said actuating member and theupward flow of fluid through said control means from contacting saidmember, whereby the operation of said control means and said actuatingmember is positive and isnot interfered with when said control means isin an open position.

A further object of the invention is to provide fluid flow control meansso constructed that the pressure fluid is introduced upon a largesurface of the well fluid in a well fluid accumulating chamber todisplace and force said well fluid up the flow or delivery pipe, wherebya greater quantity of well fluid will be produced with less volume ofpressure fluid and the full force of said pressure fluid is exerted uponsaid well fluid with less slippage or channelling of said pressure fluidthrough said well fluid.

A construction designed to carry out the inventlon will be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features and objects of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from the followingspecification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which anexample of the invention is shown, and whereinmi Figure l is a viewpartly in section and partly in elevation of the upper portion of awell;

Figure 2 is a continuation of Figure 1, showing and a valve contheinvention,

mounted therein;

Figure 3 is a continuation of Figure 2, showing the lower portion of thewell;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed view, showing the upper portion of theflow device in an open position;

Figure 5 is a continuation of Figure 4, showing the lower portion ofsaid device;

Figure 6 is a detailed view of the upper portion of the flow device,showing its closed position;

Figure 7 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 1-1 ofFigure 5;

Figure 8 is a similar view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is an enlarged detailed view of the upper portion of a modifiedform of the flow device, showing the same in its open position;

Figure 10 is a continuation of Figure 9, showing the lower portion ofsaid device;

Figure 11 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line il-l|of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a detailed view, showing the flow device in its closedposition;

Figure 13 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line l3i3of Figure 9; and

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view, showing how one group of ball valvesis opened ahead of the other group.

In the drawings, the numeral 20 designates the usual well casing(Figures 1, 2 and 3) which has a well tubing string 2| depending axiallytherethrough. The upper end of the casing is screwed into the usualcasing head 22, mounted above the ground level, and the upper end ofvthe tubing string is supported within the casing head in the regularmanner. All of the above-ground structure may be substantially the sameas that set forth in any of my above-mentioned patents and co-pendingapplications, although such structure has not been shown and forms nopart of the present invention.

The tubing string may extend substantially the full length of the casing20, and its lower end may terminate within the lower portion of saidcasing or it may extend below .said casing to within a short distance ofthe bottom of the well at some distance below the lower end of saidcasing. A suitable liner 23, either perforated or plain, maybe providedon the lowerend of said casing, or the lower portion of the well borebelow said casing may be open or uncased. The lower end of said tubing2| may terminate within said casing, or in said liner, or in saiduncased portion of said well bore, or below said liner; and preferably asuitable screen or bull plug 24 is provided on the lower end of saidtubing string. The usual standing or foot valve 25 is mounted within thelower end of said tubing abovethe bull plug 24. I

The tubing string 2i is preferably provided with a number of flow orkick-off valves 26 intermediate its, ends and in spaced, relation to thestanding fluid level of the well, as pointed out in my above-mentionedpatents and co-pending applications. The construction of these flowvalves may be the same as that taught in my Patent No. 2,171,480, or anyother structure suitable for the purpose. These valves serve to lowerthe well fluid level in said casing 20 and said well tubing 2| down tothe point or level at which it is desired to operate or produce thewell. In some instances one of or substantially the same fiow valveisuused as a. producing or operating valve, but in some wells where itbecomes necessary to produce said well fluid at a point below the end ofsaid casing string 20, or in the liner 23 mounted in the lower end ofsaid casing, or below a perforated portion of said casing string or ofsaid liner; and when such a condition occurs the usual kick-oil valve 26may not be used at this point. Therefore, it is necessary to set apacker 21, preferably of my own construction such as is shown in myPatent No. 2,171,479, although any desired packer or other seal-offdevice may be used. It is preferred to mount the packer 21 in saidtubing string and to set said packer as lowin said casing string as ispossible, in accordance with the positionv of said liner 23 or of theabove-mentioned perforations (not shown).

An elongate, cylindricalvalve 28 is mounted in said tubing string justabove said packer 21 and while at first glance this valve seems todiffer somewhat from my usual kick-off valve, its basic principal ofaction is the same. The upper end of said valve 28 is provided with acylindrical collar or cap 29 having an internally screwthreaded box 30on its upper end for receiving a depending, externally screw-threadedpin 3i of said tubing string 2i for connecting the upper end of saidvalve into said tubing. The lower end of said cap 29 is provided with a.box 32 similar to said box 30 for engaging an upstanding, externallyscrew-threaded pin 33 on the upper end of an upper valve body or head34. The lower portion of this body is provided with externalscrewthreads '35 for receiving an internally screwthreaded box 36 uponthe upper end of s an elongated, cylindrical sleeve 31 and this sleevehas a similar threaded box 38 on its lower end for receiving one end ofan externally screw-threaded lower valve body or cross plug 39. Acylindrical collar 40 similar to the collar 29 is threaded onto thelower portion of said lowervalve body 39 and has an internallyscrew-threaded box M on its lower end for receiving the threaded pin 42of said tubing 2i to connect the lower portion of said tubing to saidvalve 28. A relatively soft metal packing ring 43 is inserted betweenthe upper end of said upper valve body 34 and the lower end of saidcollar 29, and between the lower end of said body and the upper end ofsaid sleeve 31, and between the lower end of said sleeveand the upperend of said collar 40 for sealing these joints and connections forpreventing leakage at said connections. Thus, it will be seen that saidvalve 28 may be readily connected in said tubing string. The upper valvebody or head 34 is provided with an internal, cylindrical chamber 44. Aplurality of radial, internally screw-threaded ports 45 extend outwardlythrough the walls of said valve body and provide communication betweenthe annular space within said casing 28 and said tubing string 2ithrough said chamber 44. When said ports are opened (Figures 5 and 9),pressure fluid may enter said tubing from said annular space of saidcasing. It is preferred to locate said ports in an equi-distantly,spaced relation around said chamber and all in the same horizontalplane. However, while this valve has been shown and described with threeports, one or more ports may be used and arranged as desired. In someinstances where a greater number of ports are provided, said body 38will be elongated and the ports ,formed in groups of one to four portseach and each group would preferably be on a horizontalplane.

Each port 45 is providedvwith a valve cage or insert unit 46 threadedthereinto and having a co-axial passageway 47 extending through eachvalve cage. The inner end of each passageway 41 is formed with a ground,tapered seat 48, so that a ball valve 48 may be mounted in thepassageway of each valve cage 46, for engaging the seat 48 and closingsaid passageway, whereby each of said ports will be closed. The outerend of each passageway is internally screw-threaded, so as to receive aperforated button or cap 58 to limit the outward movement of said ballvalves 49 from said seats 48.

Whenever pressure fluid is introduced into said annular space of saidcasing string and flows through said passageways 41 and encounters saidballs 49 in said open ports 45, the passage of said pressure fluidthrough said open ports will carry said balls onto their respectiveseats 48, thereby closing said open ports as well as shutting off saidtubing from said annular space. It will be noticed in Figures 6 and 8,that when said balls are seated so as to close said passageways, aportion thereof protrudes into said chamber 44 from said seats.

The lower end of said chamber 44 is countersunk (Figures 5 and 6), so asto form an enlarged bore 5| for receiving the upper end of a tubularmandrel 52 which has a sliding fit within said bore 5|. It will -benoticed that a portion of said mandrel 52 is thickened or upset, so thata shoulder 53 is formed to limit the telescoping of the upper end ofsaid mandrel within said bore. The lower end of said mandrel isinternally upset so as to form a shoulder 54 which has a reduced,

depending pin 55' for telescoping within a shallow, annular sump orrecess 56 in the upper surface of said lower valve body 39. The lowerend of said sump 56 is provided with one or more passageways 51extending through said lower valve body to the lower end thereof, sothat a continuous passage is formed from said passageways 41 of saidvalve cages, through said chamber 44, said mandrel 52, said sump 56,said passageway 51 and delivered below said lower valve body 38 andinside of said tubing string 2|. The lower surface of said lower valvebody is provided with a socket or recess 58, that is internallyscrewthreaded to receive an externally threaded pin 58 on the upper endof a string of auxiliary or tail pipe 88. It is preferred that this tailpipe extends down within said tubing string to within a short distanceof the upper end of said standing valve 25 mounted in the lower end ofsaid tubing.

The upper end of said socket 58 is provided with one or morelongitudinally extending passageways 6| extending therefrom to the upperside of said lower valve body 38, so that a continuous passageway isformed from said tail pipe 55, through said socket 58, through saidpas-. sageway 6|, into said sleeve 31 outside of said tubular mandrel52, through a plurality of iongitudinal channels 82 extending throughsaid valve body 34, onto the upper side of said valve 28 and within saidtubing 2|. It is pointed out that the sump 56 and passageways 51 do notopen or connect with the socket 58 and passageways 8|. The upper end ofsaid chamber 44 is countersunk and internally screw-threaded to receivean annular'box or guide 83 having an axial bore 54 extendingtherethrough. The lower portion of said bore 84 is counterbored to forman enlarged bore or chamber 65 and a ground, tapered seat 85 is formedon the shoulder between said bore 84 and said chamber 85.

The upper end of said guide 63 is provided with an externallyscrew-threaded pin 61 for receiving a coupling member 88 having aninternal chamber 69 formed therein. This chamber is provided with aplurality of radial ports or openings 18 to provide communicationbetween said chamber and the inside of said tubing. Theupper end of saidcoupling member 68 is provided with an upstanding pin 1|, similar tosaid pin 61, and having a bore 12, similar to said bore 64. This pin 1|is externally screw-threaded for receiving the threaded lower end of anupstanding, elongated tube or protector sleeve 13, that preferablyextends co-axially within said tubing 2| and spaced therefrom. The upperend of said sleeve 13 is provided with a plurality of radial ears orlugs 14 for spacing and maintaining the co-axial alinement of saidsleeve within said tubing.

It will be noticed in Figures 2, 4 and 6, that the lower portion of anactuating member or weight bar 15 depends within said sleeve 13. Nearlyall wells give off a certain amount of free or formation gas from theproducing formation which flows up said tubing below said lower valvebody 38 and enters said duct 51 and flows therethrough, into saidmandrel 52, through said chamber 44 of said valve body 34', into saidchamber 68 of said coupling 65, and out through said openings 18 intosaid tubing above said valve. It is pointed out that this free gas isprevented from accumulating in said tubing below said valve 28 andrestricting the inflow of well fluid from said formation. Also, byproviding said openings 18 in said chamber 68, said free gas does notenter said protector sleeve 13 nor contact said weight bar 15, norinterfere with the operation thereof.

An elongated, cylindrical dart 16 is mounted in and extends through thelower portion of said sleeve 13, into said here 12 of said pin 1|,through said coupling member 68, into said guide 63, through saidchamber 44 and into .the' upper portion of said tubular mandrel 52. Theupper portion of said dart 16 is reduced to form an upstanding, co-axialpin or rod 11 and a flat, annular head 18 is suitably mounted on theupper end of said rod 11, so that the tapered. lower end of said weightbar 15 may readily engage and actuate said rod 11. The lower portion ofsaid dart 16 is provided with an axial bore 18 and the upper end of saidbore is provided with a plurality of radial outlet ports 88 extendingfrom said bore to the outer surface of said dart.

As will be seen in Figures 5 and 6, a portion of said dart is externallyupset or thickened, so as to form an annular boss or actuating member 8|with a tapered guide surface 82 on its upper edge. It will be noticed inFigures 5 and 6 that the guide surface 82 engages the ball valves 48upon the upward travel of said dart 16 and gradually forces said balls48 off their seats 48, until said boss 8| engages and holds said ballsin their open position (Figures 5 and 7). Of course, upon the downwardtravel of said dart, the reverse action takes place and said balls arepermitted to gradually engage their seats due to the taper of said guidesurface 82. The lower end of said dart is provided with a plurality ofspaced, short stops or lugs 84 and a suitable coiled spring 85 ismounted within said tubular mandrel 52. The lower end'of said springrests upon the internal upset portion of said tubular mandrel and theupper end of said spring engages beneath said stops 54, so that at alltimes said dart is under the tension of said spring 85. The taperedshoulder 88, formed between said lower portion of said dart and said rod11, en-

ages said seat 66 to limit the upward travel of said dart and to sealoff said chamber 44 from said chamber 69 and the tubing above said valveWhen said valve 28 has been assembled and made up in said tubing stringand said well fluid level has been lowered by the production thereof,

as taught in my above-mentioned patents and co-pending applications;said weight bar I5 is suspended on the lower end of a wire line 81extending up said tubing string 2| and out of said casing head to asuitable control mechanism (not shown). This control mechanism may be ofany desired structure, although I prefer to use one of the controlmechanisms such as is taught in my above-mentioned patents or co-pendingapplications. This weight bar will be lowered approximately to theposition shown in Figures 2 and 4, which is the opened position of saiddart 16 in said valve due to the tension of said coiled spring 85. Withsaid dart in this upper position, said balls 49 will be held off theirseats 46 so that said pressure fluid in said casing 20 above said valve28 will force the well fluid remaining in said casing between thelowermost kick-ofl valve 26 and said valve 28, through said passageways41 of said valve cages 46, into'said chamber 44, through said tubularmandrel 52, into said sump 56 of said lower valvebody 39, through saidpassageways 51 of said lower valve body and into said tubing 2| belowsaid lower valve body outside of said .tail pipe 60. This admitted wellfluid will be forceddownwardly in said tubing around said tail pipe tothe lower end thereof and said pressure fluid from the annular space ofsaid casing will follow this same path of flow. Of course, this wellfluid'together with the well fluid in said tubing below said valve 28,and the well fluid in said tailpipe 60 and in said valve, will be forcedor be displaced upwardly into said tubing above said valve and will liftthewell fluid in said tubing. This upward path of flow, which also willbe followed by the pressure fluid, is through said tail pipe 69, intosaid. socket 58, through said passageways 6|, into said sleeve 31 aroundsaid tubular mandrel 62, up through said longitudinal passageways 62 andout on top of said valve 28 in said tubing around said sleeve 73. Thepressure fluid from said annular space of said casing, following thesame path of, flow as outlined for said well fluid, will lift said wellfluid up said tubing string to the usual cross T 88 and into the usualflow line 89 where it is led to a separator ,(not shown), a storage tank(not shown), or any other suitable disposal as desired.

It is ,pointed out that a perforated band or collar 90 is mounted onsaid upper valve body 34 between the lower end of said upper connectingcollar 2.9 and the upper end of said sleeve 31-, so as to fully coverthe outer ends of said threaded ports 45 to protect the same and preventany extraneous matter entering said passageways 41 of said valve cages46 and clogging the same, or said perforated cap 50, or causing damageto said balls 49, or some other mechanism of said valve 28. Attention iscalled to Figures 5, 6 and 8, wherein it will be seen that said uppervalvebody 34 is formed externally with a shallow, annular channel orrecess 9| that extends medially of said body. This channel extendsacross the open, outer ends. of said ports 45 and said caps 56 ofsaidvalve cages 46 and underlies the perforated collar 90, so that whenfluid flows through the'perforations ofv said collar,

said channel 9| will receive the same andlead said fluid to said ports.

When said ball valves 49 are held open by said boss 6| on said dart 16,said tapered shoulder 66 is engaging said seat 66, so that the fluidentering through said passageways 41 of-said valve cages 46 will flowdown around said dart, as well as into said ports 80, through said bore190i. said dart, and out the lower end ,thereof. The pin 1'! is providedintermediate its ends with a plurality of elongated, longitudinaLshallowslots or grooves 93. These grooves are so placed on said pin that whensaid dart I6 is in its upper position (Figures 4 and 5), the lower endsof said grooves are even with or above the upper edge of said pin 61 ofsaid guide 63 and the upper ends of said grooves are below or in thelower portion of said bore 12 of said pin 1|. When said dart is in itslower position (Figure 6), the lower ends of said grooves 93 are belowsaid seat 66 on the lower end of said bore 64 and the upper ends of saidgrooves extend above the upper edge of said bore 64 and into saidchamber 69, whereby a passageway is provided from said chamber 65through .said grooves to said chamber 69. This passageway thus formedwill prevent the accumulation of free or formation gas in said valvebody and in said chamber 65 for two reasons or purposes. First, byventing said gas, said tubing below said valve 26 and said tail pipe 60may fill with well fluid so that upon the next actuation or opening ofsaid valve 28, a full load or charge of well fluid is obtained; second,to

; cating or fluttering action resultant rapid opening and closing ofsaid inlet prevent the accumulation of formation gas,

which would interfere with the operation of said dart.

In the normal or inoperative position the dart 8| is depressed by thebar 15, so that the pressure fluid closes the valves 49. It is pointedout that the slots 93 are so placed on said stem TI of said dart 16, asto bleed the free gas from said valve body 34 when said dart is in itslower position. When said dart begins itsupward travel to open saidports 45, said slots 93 are closed as soon as their lower ends enterinto said bore 64 of said guide 63 and the further escape.

or bleeding of free gas is terminated. At this point of travel, thebalance of said stem 11 between said slots and said shoulder 86 servesas a,sliding plug in said bore 64, so that when said balls are face 92,the pressure fluid entering through the opened ports 45 will assist thespring in lifting said dart 76 to move the same into its upper position,to completely open said ports and seat said shoulder 86 against saidseat66.

With said protector sleeve 13 preventing the upward flowing column offluid contacting said weight bar 15 or said head 18 on said stem. 11,and any free gas being led outside of said sleeve; the operation or theposition of said weight bar is not interfered with and a steady, evenactuation of said valve 28 is had. If the protector sleeve was not used,the flowing column of fluids would lift said weight bar and give areciproto said stem with the ports and a faulty operation of said valve28. When the ports are closed, the free gas escapes up the well tubingand when said ports are open, said free gas will be carriedwith the wellfluid and the pressure fluid down in said tubing below said valve and upsaid tail or discharge pipe 66 into said tubing above said valve 28..-It is pushed open by said guiding sur- I valve and up said tail pipe,

is preferred pointed out that in initially kicking oil the well, saidvalve 28 is in its open position, so that all the well fluid in saidcasing 48 below the lowermost kick-oil valve 26 flows or is forcedthrough said valve 28, down into said tubing below said as has alreadybeen described.

If desired the tubing below said packer may be of a larger diameter'thanthe balance of the tubing string, in order to provide an increased fluidcollecting chamber 95. Of course, this chamber will extend down to thestanding valve 25 or at least below the lower end of the tail pipe 68.It,

to use a formation gas valve 96 in said tubing string 2i above saidchamber 95 and below said packer 21. This formation gas release valve 96may be of any suitable construction, although I prefer to use my ownvalve such as shown and described in my copending application, SerialNo. 317,073, filed February 3, 1940 Attention is called to the fact thatafter the well has been kicked off and is being produced, and when saidflow valve 28 has beenopened, the pressure lifting fluid entering saidvalve flows therethrough and is introduced into the upper end of saidchamber 95 onto the upper surface of said well fluid therein. This wellfluid is displaced downwardly in said chamber and up into said tail pipe59, through said flow valve 28 and into said tubing string around saidprotector sleeve 13. As additional pressure fluid enters said chamber 95and builds up the pressure therein, said pressure fluid forcing all wellfluid ahead of it will follow the same line of flow as said well fluid.Thus, when said pressure fluid reaches the lower end of said tail pipe69 to exert its lifting force or action on said well fluid in said tailpipe, this column of well fluid is already flowing due to the above setout displacing action. It will be seen that the lifting force of saidpressure fluid is delivered beneath an upwardly moving column of wellfluid, whereby there will not be any channelling, cutting, or damagingof said well fluid as there would be if said pressure fluid wereintroduced down said tail pipe and into said chamber at the lower end ofsaid tail pipe.

In initially kicking off wells where there is a deep submergence of saidbottom-hole flow valve 28 in the well fluid, one of my kick-off valves26 (not shown) may be mounted in said tubin string just above said flowvalve; so that when there is too much well liquid in said fluidaccumulating chamber. 95, in said casing or well bore, and in saidannular space of said casing above said packer, the flow valve 28 beingnormally open will admit well fluid and pressure fluid therethrough todisplace well fluid from said chamber into said tubing above said flowvalve until the column of well fluid in said tubing, said flow valve andsaid tail pipebalances the desired operating pressure of pressurelifting fluid. When the pressure within said tubing and said flow valvebalances the operating pressure, of course there will be no more flowfrom said annular space of said casing into said flow valve and theoperator at'the surface will be unable to unload or kick off the well.However, when it is determined by preliminary survey that such acondition will occur, one of my kick-off valves 28 is mounted in saidtubing string just above the upper end of said actuating member 15, sothat said actuating member could be picked up when the above-mentionedpoint of balance has been reached to open this kick-off valve (notshown) to admit pressure fluid at this point in said tubways ing string.Naturally this kick-oil valve will operate and function exactly as myother kick-off valves.

The picking up of said weight bar 15 to open this kick-off valvewilladmit pressure fluid to cut off the upper portion of the column ofwell fluid standing in said tubing. The admittance of pressure fluidthrough this kick-off valve will not only cut off the column of wellfluid at this point, but will lift this cut off portion or slug up andout of said well, as taught in my above-mentioned patents and co-pendingapplications, and this lifting will lighten the column of well fluid insaid tubing so that additional well fluid may rock or flow through saidflow valve 28, until a point of balance is reached. The weight bar 15may again be pulled up into the kick-off valve 26 (not shown) and assoon as the cut off portion or slug of well fluid reaches the surface,said weight bar is again lowered to close said kickoff valve, so thatadditional well fluid may build up in said tubing above said flow valve28. This operation may be repeated as often as is necessary until thedesired operating pressure can handle the well fluid produced by saidproducing formation and when this condition occurs, the pressure fluidwill flow through said valve into said chamber onto the upper surface ofthe well fluid in said chamber and lift the same out as has already beenoutlined above. When the pressure fluid has lifted the well fluid fromsaid chamber and said tail pipe up and out of said tubing, the weightbar 15 has been dropped onto the flat head 18 of said stem 11 (Figure 6)to move said dart 16 downwardly and release the balls 49, so that thepressure fluid entering said passageways 41 will carry said balls ontotheir seats 48, thereby closing said passageways and terminating theadmittance of pressure fluid into said flow valve 28.

In Figures 9 to 14, .a slightly modified form of the invention isillustrated which shows how the invention may be made to accommodate twohorizontal planes of ports and valve cages therefor. As will be seenfrom these figures, the structure is substantially the same, as thatshown in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive. The valve body I28 has beensufficiently lengthened to accommodate the second group or horizontalplane of ball valves I49. The lower portionof said dart I18 has beenelongated to accommodate a second boss or actuating member I8I with atapered guide surface I82 on its upper edge similar to the boss I8I andguide surface I82 respectively. It will be seen in Figures 9, 12 and 14,that the uide surface I82' is steeper and the inclination thereof isgreater than the guide surface I82, so that upon the upward travel ofsaid dart I15, the lower guide surface I82 will engage the lower groupof ball valves I49 and open or move the same off their seats I48 beforethe upper guide surface I82 engages the upper group of ball valves I49to' move the same off their seats I48. The lower end of the slots I93have already entered the bore I54 above said seat I66 and when thispoint has been reached (Figure 14), the pressure fluid entering throughsaid lower group of passage- I41 will assist in the further lifting ofsaid dart I16, whereby said lower group of ball valves I49 as well asthe upper group of ball valves I49 may be moved to their fully openedpositions (Figures 9 and 13).

Upon the downward travel of said dart I18, the reverse action takesplace and said balls are permitted to gradually engage their seats thesame as strong as as upon the upward travel of said dart and said uppergroup of ball valves 9 will engage their seats before the lower group ofball valves I49, due to the difference in the tapers of the guidesurfaces I82 and I82. However, while this form of the invention has beendescribed and illustrated with three ports in each group, it is to beunderstood that'each group may contain one or more ports and each groupdoes not have to contain the same number of ports as the other. Neitherdo the ports have to be in 'alinementwith the corresponding port in theother group,

nor is the invention limited to one or two groups as the valve may beconstructed with as many groups and as many ports in each group as isdesired or required to satisfactorily handle the production problempresented on each installation.

The difference in the tapers of the guide surfaces I82 and I 82' servetwo purposes: first, by opening one group of ball valves ahead of theother group, the spring I 85 does not need to be would be required ifboth groups were opened simultaneously; second, the pressure fluidentering through the lower passageways I41, engaging beneath the bossI8I, will assist in the lifting of said dart due to the sliding actionor function of said stem I11 below the lower ends of said slots I93, sothat this first admitted pressure fluid lends assistance to the actionof said spring I85.

. It is pointed out that various changes and modifications of theinvention may be made as is necessary to accommodate the numerous andvarious producing conditions'presented without departing from the spiritof the invention.

What I claim Patent is:

1. A valve for a well fluid lifting apparatus having a well tubing in awell casing including, an upright enclosure adapted to be connected inthe tubing and having a passage therethrough and a fluid outlet, a valveseat below said outlet opening from the passage at the upper endthereof, an inlet valve in the enclosure below said seat communicatingwith said passage for admitting fluid from the easing into the tubing,and spring actuated means having a valve member engaging said seat forcontrolling the flow of fluid through said outlet and said means alsoengaging said inlet valve to hold it open.

2. A valve for a well fluid lifting apparatus having a well tubing in awell casing including, an upright enclosure adapted to be connected inthe tubing and having a passage therethrough and a fluid outlet, a valveseat below said outlet opening from the ,passage at the upper endthereof, an inlet valve in the enclosure below said seat communicatingwith said passage for admitting fluid from the casing into the tubing,spring actuated means having a valve member engaging said seat forcontrolling the flow of fluid through said outlet and said means alsoengaging said inlet valve to hold it open, and means operable from thesurface of the well for depressing said spring actuated means to unseatsaid valve member from said seat and to re lease the inlet valve.

3. A valve for a well fluid lifting apparatus and desire to secure byLetters including, an upright enclosure having a fluid passage therein,an inlet valve for admitting lifting fluid to said passage, springactuated means engaging said inlet valve and holding it open, and meansOp rable from the su face 9 the well for depressing said spring actuatedmeans to release said inlet valve.

4. In a well fluid lifting system the combination of, an eduction .pipe,a packer disposed around said pipe, a well liquid discharge pipecommunicating with the eduction pipe having its inlet a substantialdistance below the packer to receive a column of well liquids, flowmeans having a lifting fluid inlet disposed above said packer and aconductor for conveying the admitted fluid below said packer fordisplacing the well liquids downwardly around said discharge pipe to itsinlet, whereby the well liquids are expelled through the discharge pipeinto the-eduction pipe through which it is lifted to the well surface,means having a connection with the lifting fluid inlet for holding saidinlet open, and surface operated means for disengaging the holding meansfrom said lifting fluid inlet to permit the pressure lifting fluid toclose said inlet.

5. In a well fluid lifting-system the combination of, an eduction pipe,a packer disposed around said pipe, a well fluid discharge pipecommunicating with the eduction pipe having its inlet a substantialdistance below the packerv to provide a column of well liquids, flowmeans having a lifting fluid inlet disposed above said packer and aconductor for conveying the admitted fluid below said packer fordisplacing the well liquids, whereby said well liquids are dischargedthrough said eduction pipe, maintaining the inlet open, trolled meansfor releasing means, whereby the pressure itself ofl.

- 6. In a well fluid lifting system the combination of, an eductionpipe, a packer disposed around said pipe, a well fluid discharge pipecommunicating with the eduction pipe having its inlet a substantialdistance below the packer to receive a column of well liquids, flowmeans having a lifting fluid inlet disposed above said packer anddirecting the admitted fluid below said packer for displacing the wellliquids downwardly around said discharge pipe to its inlet, whereby thewell liquids are expelled through said discharge pipe into the eductionpipe through which it is lifted to the well surface, means having aconnection with the lifting fluid inlet for holding said inlet open,surface operated means for disengaging the holding means from saidlifting fluid inlet to permit the pressure lifting fluid to close saidinlet, the column of well liqand surface consaid maintaining liftingfluid shuts uids accumulating in said discharge pipe while said inlet isclosed, and means for venting any free gas while the liquids areaccumulating and said inlet is closed.

7. In a well fluid flowing device having a well tubing suspended in awell casing including, an elongate body having connecting collars oneach end thereof for connecting said body in the well tubing, an axialbore extending through said body so as to form a pasageway withsaid welltubing, a radial port in the upper portion of said body, a valve forsaid port adapted to be operated from the bore of said body, operatingmeans movable in said bore for operating said valve, an elongatedactuating member separate from said operating means depending insaidwell tubing for actuating said operating means, and a wire linedepending in said well tubing for suspending said actuating member andcontrolling the operation of the same.

8. In a well fluid flowing device having a well tubing suspended in awell casing including, an

resilient means for.

,by said dart body,

elongate body having connecting collars on each end thereof forconnecting said body in the well tubing, an axial bore extending throughsaid body so as to form a passageway with said well tubing, a radialport in the upper portion of said body, a valve for said port adapted tobe operated from the bore of said body, a second port in said body, avalve for said second port adapted to be operated from the bore of saidbody, operating means mounted in said bore for operating said valves, anelongated actuating member separate from said operating means dependingin said well tubing for operating said operating means, and a wire linedepending in said well tubing for suspending said actuating member andcontrolling the operation of the same.

9. As a subcombination in a well flowing apparatus, a valve including avalve body having a bore extending nel extending therethrough separatelyiromsaid bore for conveying fluids, an inlet port extending laterally tosaid bore, said inlet port having internal screw-threads for receiving avalve cage, the upper end of the bore being screw-threaded, and aremovable seat screwed into the upper end of said bore.

10. As a subcombination in a well flowing apparatus, a fluid inletvalve, an actuating dart for the fluid inlet valve including, a dartbody, the major portion of said body being tubular and having an openingwhereby fluid may enter said body and flow therethrough to facilitatethe flow of fluid by and below said dart body, an upset actuatingportion on said body for actuating the fluid inlet valve, a supportingguide on the lower portion of said body, a resilient member engagingsaid guide, an actuating stem extending from the upper portion of saidbody, and an actuating member to engage and operate said dart for movingthe same.

11. As a subcombination in a well flowing apparatus, a fluid inlethaving a bore therein, an actuating dart for the fluid inlet valve insaid bore and including, a dart body, the major portion of said bodybeing tubular and having an opening whereby fluid may enter said bodyand flow therethrough to facilitate the flow o! fluid an upset actuatingportion on said body for actuating the fluid inlet valve, a supportingguide on the lower portion of said body, a resilient member engagingsaid guide, an actuating stem extending from the upper portion of saidbody, and an actuating member to engage and operate said dart for movingthe same, a seat in said bore for providing a vent for free well gas andan annular valve member on the upper portion of said body adjacent saidstem for engaging the seat for controlling the venting of free gas fromthe well fluid.

12. As a subcombination in a well flowing apparatus, a fluid inletvalve, an actuating dart for the fluid inletvalve including, a dartbody, the major portion of said body being tubular and having an openingwhereby fluid may enter said body and flow therethrough to facilitatethe flow of fluid by said dart body, an upset actuating portion on saidvalve, a supporting guide on the lower-portion of said body, a resilientmember engaging said guide, an actuating stem extending from the upperportion of said body, and an actuating member to engage and operate saiddart for moving the same, a seat in said bore for providing a vent forfree well gas and an annular valve member on the upper portion of saidbody adtherethrough and a flow chanv bore, a closure member body foractuating the fluid inlet 4 venting free gas jacent said stem forengaging the seat for controlling the venting of free gas from the wellfluid, an elongated slot formed in said stem so that when said dartis-in its inoperative position any free gas may be vented therethrough.

13. In a well flowing apparatus, a valve including, a valve body havinga bore extending therethrough and a flow channel extending therethroughseparately from said bore, an inlet port extending laterally to saidbore, said inlet port having internal screw-threads for receiving avalve cage, a well fluid delivery pipe connected to the lower end ofsaid valve, a conductor connected to the lower portion of said bore forconveying a lifting fluid from said por-t'below said valve outside ofthe well fluid delivery pipe, and means whereby the lifting fluid willdisplace the well fluid through the well fluid delivery pipe, the wellfluid delivery pipe being so connected to said valve that the well fluidexpelled from the well fluid delivery pipe flows outside and around saidlifting fluid conductor and through the flow channel.

14. A flow valve for a well fluid lifting system having a well flow pipeincluding, a body adapted to be connected into the flow pipe and havinga bore and flow channels extending therethrough separately from saidbore for providing a passage for fluid from below the body into the wellflow pipe, an inlet port in said body connected to the for said port,means mounted in said bore for actuating said closure member, and meansat the upper portion of the actuating means for venting any free gaswhile the well fluid is accumulating in the flow pipe.

15. In a well flowing apparatus the combination of, an elongatestructure having a passage therethrough for connecting at its upper endwith the usual well tubing, a well fluid accumulating chamber connectedwith the lower end of said passage, a normally open pressure .fluidinlet valve opening'to said passage and having an actuating elementexposed in said passage, a seat in the passage and located above saidvalve for therethrough, and an elongate operating member engagingelement movable in the and having means for engaging the seat to shutoil the passage to control the flow of free gas, a conduit extendingfrom the accumulating chamber for conveying and discharging fluid intothe passage above the seat when the actuating element is engaged withthe seat. r

16. A well flowing apparatus having a well tubing in a well casingincluding, a valve in said tubing and having a bore therethrough, a flowpassage in said body for conveying fluids into said tubing above saidbody, an inlet valve in said body for admitting fluid into said bore, aweight bar movable in said tubing for controlling the operation of theinlet valve, in combination with a shield mounted on the valve body andinto which said bar telescopes, whereby said bar is protected againstupward displacementby the upwardly flowing fluids in said tubing.

17. A well flowing apparatus having a well tubing in a well casingincludin a valve body in said tubing, a flow passage in said body forconveying fluids into said tubing above said body, an inlet valve insaid body, a weight bar movable in said tubing for controlling theoperation of the inlet valve, said inlet valve including, a boreextending through the valve body, an inlet port extending laterally tosaid bore for admitting fluid into said bore, a closure memthe valveactuating, passage of said structure inlet valve,

said weight bar.

18. A well flowing apparatus having a well tubing in a well casing andan inlet valve mounted in the tubing and a weight bar movable in saidtubing for con-trolling the operation of the said inlet valve including,a valve body having a bore extending 'therethrough, an inlet portextending laterally to said bore for admitting fluid into said bore, aclosure member for said port projecting into said bore for controllingthe admittance of fluid into said bore, an actuating dart in said borefor engaging the projecting portion of said closure member, the upperportion of said dart extending above said valve body to be engaged andoperated by said weight bar, and a spring supporting said dart.

19. A well flowing apparatus having a well tubing in a well casing andan inlet valve mounted in the tubing and a weight bar movable in saidtubing for con-trolling the operation of the inlet valve, said inletvalve including, a valve body having a, bore extending therethrough, aninlet port extending laterally to said bore for admitting fluid intosaid bore, a closure member for said port projecting into said bore forcontrolling the admittance of fluid into said bore, an actuating dart insaid bore for engaging the projecting portion of said closure member,the upper portion of said dart extending above said valve body to beengaged and opera-ted by said weight bar, and means at the upper portionof said bore for venting any free gas into said tubing while the wellliquids are accumulating in said tubing and said inlet is closed.

20. A well flowing apparatus having a well tubing in a well casing andan inlet valve mount.. ed in the tubing and a weight bar movable in saidtubing for controlling the operation of the inlet valve, said inletvalve including, a valve body having a bore extending therethrough, aninlet port extending laterally to said bore for admitting fluid intosaid bore, a closure member for said bore projecting into said bore forcontrolling the admittance of fluid into said bore, an actuating dart insaid bore for engaging the projecting portion of said closure member,the upper portion of said dart adapted to be engaged and operated bysaid weight bar, a portion of said dart being tubular to assist in theflow of fluid through said bore of said valve body.

21. A flow valve for a well fluid lifting system having a well flow pipein a well casing including, a body adapted to be connected in the flowpipe and having a bore and flow channels ex-' tending therethrough, saidflow channels conveying fluid through the body separately from the boreand into the flow pipe, a radially extending inlet port in said bodyconnected to the bore for admitting fluid into said bore from saidcasing to displace well fluid to flow through said channels,a closuremember for said port, and surface con-trolled means mounted in said borefor actuating said closure member.

JEDDY D. NIXON.

